TOKYO – Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has taken a significant step toward decarbonizing maritime operations with the adoption of bio-LNG fuel for its LNG-powered car carrier, Celeste Ace.
On March 16, MOL bunkered approximately 500 tons of bio-LNG, also known as liquefied biomethane (LBM), at the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. The fuel, supplied by Titan Supply B.V., marks a first for a Japanese shipping company in deploying bio-LNG for an ocean-going vessel.
The bio-LNG used in this operation has a carbon intensity of less than zero on a life-cycle basis, meaning that from production to consumption, it results in a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The fuel meets the standards of International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU), ensuring compliance with the European Union’s sustainability requirements.
LNG fuel alone reduces CO2 emissions by about 25% compared to conventional fuel oil. However, bio-LNG takes sustainability a step further. Derived from waste and residues, it not only eliminates emissions but also repurposes methane—a potent greenhouse gas—preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. Because LNG and bio-LNG share the same primary component—methane—the existing LNG supply chain can be utilized for its transportation and consumption, making it a practical transition fuel toward decarbonization.
Caspar Gooren, Commercial Director of Renewable Fuels at Titan, underscored the importance of this development: “This bunkering highlights the growing role of LBM in decarbonizing international shipping today. With LBM availability expanding, its deep decarbonization potential, and increasing commercial viability, the LNG pathway offers practical solutions for shipowners and operators.”
MOL Marine Fuel GX Division General Manager Yoshikazu Urushitani emphasized the company’s broader strategy: “We are exploring the use of ammonia and hydrogen fuels while expanding LNG-fueled vessels to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon society. We will also be early adopters of bio-LNG and synthetic LNG, leading the shipping industry toward clean alternative fuels.”
This move aligns with MOL’s environmental strategy under its BLUE ACTION 2035 management plan. The company is committed to leveraging LNG and bio-LNG as near-term low-carbon fuels while continuing to develop the technologies, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks needed for zero-emission fuels.
Bio-LNG is considered a carbon-neutral fuel due to its production process. Biomass absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere during growth, and methane from organic waste is captured and utilized instead of being emitted. As a result, bio-LNG represents a viable alternative fuel that can contribute to the maritime industry’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
With this initiative, MOL is demonstrating the potential of bio-LNG in commercial shipping while setting the stage for future adoption of sustainable fuels. As the maritime industry works toward meeting global emissions targets, efforts like these signal a tangible shift toward cleaner and more sustainable operations.
